Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates CARS Tour victory with a heartfelt salute to Mini Tyrrell, who made history on August 3rd by securing the richest payout in US pavement Late Model racing at Hickory Motor Speedway. The 21-year-old’s determination and remarkable finish underscored a night marked by intense racing, emotional moments, and a new chapter for the sport’s future.
A Landmark Race Night Sets a New Standard
On Saturday, the CARS Tour Throwback Classic attracted fans across the country for an unprecedented event in the Late Model scene. The night brought together more than 70 racers for two headlining races and a purse totaling $80,000—the highest ever for the series. The high stakes led to tightly fought contests and made victory even more significant for the final winner. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR Cup Series veteran and CARS Tour co-owner, played a major role in elevating the event’s profile by securing sponsors and promoting the race on FS1. He aimed to set a new benchmark for regular payouts in the series, hoping to inspire both veterans and the next generation of drivers.
Mini Tyrrell’s Path to the $50,000 Triumph
Mini Tyrrell’s 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary, as he shattered his four-year winless streak at Wake County Speedway and dominated at Dominion Raceway. Tyrrell has remained a constant contender in the zMAX CARS Tour. As soon as the news broke in April that Hickory’s Throwback Classic would offer a $50,000 prize, Tyrrell set his sights on the challenge ahead. In his own words,
Late Model Stock racing doesn’t see money like that, and I’m just grateful that I can have a chance to compete in it.
—Mini Tyrrell, Driver
With determination, Tyrrell advanced through an action-packed race. Pole-sitter Tristan McKee aggressively defended the lead for much of the contest, facing pressure from Landen Lewis and Kaden Honeycutt. As the closing laps approached, Tyrrell settled into second. The pivotal moment came with less than 10 laps to go, when a collision involving McKee and Lewis sparked a multi-car incident, opening the door for Tyrrell to seize the lead. Moments after crossing the finish line, Dale Earnhardt Jr. congratulated him, posting:
I’m so proud of @MiniTyrrell…He did it. 50k.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Co-owner, CARS Tour
Tyrrell’s victory, fending off Jared Fryar in the final turns, capped a thrilling showdown. Fryar’s efforts in the last lap nearly closed the gap, but Tyrrell held strong, claiming the historic $50,000 check. Other top names such as Conner Jones, Landon Huffman, and Doug Barnes Jr. rounded out a deeply talented top five. The drama extended even before the green flag, with a do-or-die qualifying format at Hickory Motor Speedway: only the top 24 fastest in time trials advanced, and the 24th spot had to be awarded on a tie-breaker by first-lap speed. Tyrrell qualified ninth, making his eventual climb to victory even more impressive.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Nostalgia and Connection to Racing’s Legacy
Beyond his pride in young talent, Dale Earnhardt Jr. found plenty of reasons for nostalgia after the Classic. Earnhardt Jr., acclaimed by a massive NASCAR fan base for his reflection on racing history, has often spoken about honoring his late father and legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., who passed in the 2001 Daytona 500. That enduring spirit was rekindled over the weekend when a fan posted a digitally altered image of Ryan Blaney’s car in Dale Sr.’s iconic Wrangler Osterlund livery—originally seen in 1981, when Earnhardt made a defining team change from Osterlund Racing to Richard Childress Racing. Reacting to the tribute, Dale Jr. shared,
This is my favorite scheme of dads. 1981 was a lost year, but that vintage stripe and number font… the bright yellow nose… awesome.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., CARS Tour Co-owner
The combination of honoring racing’s past and celebrating new heights in Late Model racing left Earnhardt Jr. visibly moved, and the weekend’s victories seemed to reinforce his commitment to keeping the sport’s traditions alive while fostering growth among up-and-coming talent.
What Tyrrell’s $50K Win Could Mean for Late Model Racing
The magnitude of Mini Tyrrell’s win at Hickory Motor Speedway may represent a turning point for the sport, signaling larger prizes and higher competition for young and established drivers alike. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other key figures such as Jared Fryar, Tristan McKee, Landen Lewis, Conner Jones, Landon Huffman, Doug Barnes Jr., and Kaden Honeycutt in the mix, the CARS Tour is fast becoming a proving ground for future NASCAR stars. Tyrrell’s emotional milestone suggests that sizable purses and increased attention may soon become the norm, setting the stage for even more dramatic contests and shining a spotlight on the hard-fought path to the winner’s circle. As new champions are crowned, the balance of honoring legacies and embracing fresh talent will continue to shape the direction of Late Model racing for years to come.
